Decor steals

<p><strong>**This giveaways is now closed. Winners have been emailed. Thanks! </strong></p> <p>Hello there! We are amping up for a weekend of RAIN here…and lots of it. The remains of Isaac are on their way and we can still use it after a horrible drought this summer. I hope everyone affected by the hurricane is now safe and dry! </p> <p>I’m back this weekend with a GREAT giveaway from <a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/">Decor Steals</a>, formerly Wuslu.com. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a giveaway and that’s because I’m getting picky about those that I share with you. I’m always excited about this one because I’m a HUGE Decor Steals fan. </p> <p><a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="decor-steals-LOGO" border="0" height="95" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4dTX5q_cdcs/UEC_108VFKI/AAAAAAAAWvs/dSKggrVBfCk/decor-steals-LOGO%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="decor-steals-LOGO" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I love this site and if you haven’t heard of it you’ll want to hang around and check out some of their home decor items. Decor Steals is a site that offers one fantastic decor item every day…for a <em>steal</em>. (Totally couldn’t resist that.) Each one goes live at 10 a.m. EST daily and they now have extended deals that stay on throughout the week as well. </p> <p>Here’s just a few of my favorites pieces of late…</p> <p>I love this idea for a party – this wine stand has small chalkboard labels so you can easily show everyone what’s being served:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OJigiM34Xk0/UEC_4-vL9RI/AAAAAAAAWv0/R-PskaSybwU/s1600-h/bottle-holder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bottle holder with chalkboard" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d6mPYYis-g0/UEC_5lLwn3I/AAAAAAAAWv8/FM9xARk6V4M/bottle-holder_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bottle holder with chalkboard" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I think that would be cute with a few flowers lined up in vases too. :) </p> <p>I love these little holders and the idea of using them for utensils:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5eF2-o-dyJM/UEC_6Hf1n6I/AAAAAAAAWwE/2joHbKibl30/s1600-h/no-1-2-3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="numbered storage containers" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OjTRcAP2_Tk/UEC_7pMVvrI/AAAAAAAAWwM/X7oug2UWPoY/no-1-2-3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="numbered storage containers" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I would keep those out all the time! You know, for when I can’t be bothered to open the drawer for a spoon. ;) They’d also be cute in the bathroom for cotton balls and make up brushes. </p> <p>I love these galvanized tubs and think they would be a GREAT item for a spot like above the cabinets or on a plant ledge:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lr7R0h05cNc/UEDDi1g3hUI/AAAAAAAAWyI/CPmwC9fhp8s/s1600-h/glavanized-tubs%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="glavanizedtubs" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WnOnBeIE7g8/UEDDkEISvGI/AAAAAAAAWyQ/NM1UaEJ4k6A/glavanized-tubs_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="glavanizedtubs" width="400" /></a></p> <p>They would also look cute in a bathroom – maybe with towels rolled up in them? </p> <p>Did I mention that every item, no matter what the size, is only $5 for shipping? (In the 48 contiguous states.) FIVE bucks!! </p> <p>We all know if you put a bird on it, it’s cuter. And that goes for this mail sorter as well:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gI1VebiO5QE/UEC_-y5j6EI/AAAAAAAAWwk/wpcgoASTkyU/s1600-h/Rusted-Feel-Metal-Mail-Holder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="rustic metal mail holder" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9cYbxnBR-B8/UEC__sOK_dI/AAAAAAAAWws/2fEZo0RLiAU/Rusted-Feel-Metal-Mail-Holder_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="rustic metal mail holder" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>I think I would use it for our napkins on the kitchen table. </p> <p>This typography bamboo rug was a HUGE hit on Decor Steals, and I can see why:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zpRNCOvsvAE/UEDAAcdHZAI/AAAAAAAAWw0/dI7ecRupi6w/s1600-h/typography-bamboo-rug%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="typography bamboo rug" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I3k3r6yXCPw/UEDABigiJ4I/AAAAAAAAWw8/fhMjQA9BDcQ/typography-bamboo-rug_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="typography bamboo rug" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>Isn’t that cool? I would totally frame and hang that one. Wouldn’t it be great art?</p> <p>And finally, but certainly not least, I love this iron warming grill:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WcK3X9gX8OM/UEDACQ-MfwI/AAAAAAAAWxE/BiB9dLx3DL4/s1600-h/warming-grill%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="warming grill" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UlZz5TgDxBg/UEDAFtzbc7I/AAAAAAAAWxM/lV0mNh93CYg/warming-grill_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="warming grill" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>How cool for a party or just to keep dinner nice and toasty? I’ve never seen one so pretty! </p> <p>The fine folks at Decor Steals have created a video to show how they their site works. It’s pretty darn cute: </p> <p></p> <iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SGVROpLoVKs" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I love when the lady screams at the computer when her item is gone. Totally me. And by the way, I do <em>not</em> get $5 credits for this post. ;) </p> <p>Here’s the <em>best</em> part  -- the lovely folks at Decor Steals are giving away $100 to one lucky winner and $50 to a second winner to spend as you wish on the site! <em>Oh. yeah. </em></p> <p><strong>Here’s how to enter to win one of two credits ($100 and $50) to Decor Steals:</strong></p> <p>1. Leave a comment here. What do you have planned this Labor Day weekend? We have a wedding and a concert, and although I’m pretty sure the concert will get rained out, I’m OK with it because I love<strong><em> </em></strong>cozy, rainy weekends <em>so very much</em>. </p> <p>2. Visit Decor Steals <a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/">here</a> and check out their <a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/picksteals/">pick steals page</a>. Which item do you want to see offered in the future? Come back here to let us know in a comment.</p> <p>3. Visit their Facebook page and “like” it <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DecorSteals">here</a>. Let us know you did in another comment. </p> <p>4. Subscribe to their email list <a href="http://www.decorsteals.com/signup">here</a> (you’ll get notices about the new deals) and if you do (or are already on the list), leave one more comment here. </p> <p>* You can enter one, two, three or four times – it’s up to you! All options are not mandatory to win.</p> <p>* Remember if you comment anonymously or you have a private blog, <strong>please</strong> include your email address in <em>each</em> entry, and spell it out with “at” and “dot” to avoid any spammy emails coming your way.</p> <p>This giveaway is open to the contiguous US only. It will be close this Monday, September 3 at 9 a.m. EST. </p> <p>I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend! ENJOY and stay safe! </p>

Decor steals

**This giveaways is now closed. Winners have been emailed. Thanks! Hello there! We are amping up for a weekend of RAIN here…and lots of it...

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Rusty Charm

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJHSgmZS6Qe-wfw93L_Wn__Ov_5346ceG2CmzCwbzcsbjQpdG-NyZ1WCVCnNtXydXUfoAUkIFhD4KHDg9N1-drdPxxhurSnndL_OfxvOzCukuQ41H_GAJpAI3QBijaaBQa-S34xf7Jg4/s1600/love+you+more+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJHSgmZS6Qe-wfw93L_Wn__Ov_5346ceG2CmzCwbzcsbjQpdG-NyZ1WCVCnNtXydXUfoAUkIFhD4KHDg9N1-drdPxxhurSnndL_OfxvOzCukuQ41H_GAJpAI3QBijaaBQa-S34xf7Jg4/s640/love+you+more+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Hi Everyone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Happy Thursday<br /><span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now that</span> it is time to fertilize the soil </div><div style="text-align: center;">and get ready for fall seeds to be planted in our vegetable garden</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I decided to have some fun with these metal garden markers  </div><div style="text-align: center;"> before they go back into the ground </div><div style="text-align: center;">Truth be told </div><div style="text-align: center;">They were just too cute to have sitting in the greenhouse<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLsQxTPKwhcTrELuHfq6qNPk9h7_g7GH_ZL4WXpix3XjtBAHz-FEUr7tPYwih6wDPchN28U22RQFx_yMT4apfS97ZC7-YZxzFb7StVKmQ3l9iglRZeKL6MwfX-VTKscAqYiG31MNt3vI/s1600/love+you+more+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLsQxTPKwhcTrELuHfq6qNPk9h7_g7GH_ZL4WXpix3XjtBAHz-FEUr7tPYwih6wDPchN28U22RQFx_yMT4apfS97ZC7-YZxzFb7StVKmQ3l9iglRZeKL6MwfX-VTKscAqYiG31MNt3vI/s640/love+you+more+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Even though </span>they are funky and rusty </div><div style="text-align: center;">they sure do look adorable</div><div style="text-align: center;">and you can write on them with chalk</div><div style="text-align: center;">to leave<i> <span style="font-size: large;">little love notes</span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> all</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>around the house<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOTRI9am8jVa_yTU1glWCPi89Rxp1bjP0Mg8Wjl2Ti9TX7GejbzMkKvDn7Y8DNNCkvIlC_u4aCP9-zHpfdqSmSJiBijMikWA0ajSp8H0lUQARlnBsjznYBupi72k78trrzBOUA9FQuuI/s1600/love+you+more+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOTRI9am8jVa_yTU1glWCPi89Rxp1bjP0Mg8Wjl2Ti9TX7GejbzMkKvDn7Y8DNNCkvIlC_u4aCP9-zHpfdqSmSJiBijMikWA0ajSp8H0lUQARlnBsjznYBupi72k78trrzBOUA9FQuuI/s640/love+you+more+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">These garden <span style="font-size: small;">markers</span></span> are so much  fun to play with....</div><div style="text-align: center;">  I think I may need to buy a few more</div><div style="text-align: center;"> it will be hard to take them back outside again</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLg8e8TmPO2mqGMI7hbkM3VK8S0dPgBeI-J9l1UPs60fvtIy3sddonV4t65_EuYRWVDKRNIwnhCOiaDRg7DgbFF_VSyCiR1WY_gKIT9gVldgh0FeqLN8yZ0GhPgqLT27dqZ31_b5GzF8/s1600/love+you+more+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLg8e8TmPO2mqGMI7hbkM3VK8S0dPgBeI-J9l1UPs60fvtIy3sddonV4t65_EuYRWVDKRNIwnhCOiaDRg7DgbFF_VSyCiR1WY_gKIT9gVldgh0FeqLN8yZ0GhPgqLT27dqZ31_b5GzF8/s640/love+you+more+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="color: #f4cccc; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">{Love}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">re purposing funky rusty treasures</div><div style="text-align: center;">especially  from the garden<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">linking at <a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/">My Romantic Home</a><br /><a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Vintage Inspiration Friday</a><br /><br />romantic saying for today<br /><br /><i>"Is not a kiss the very autograph of Love</i>"<br /><span style="font-size: 15px;"></span>Henry Finck<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">♥</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pam</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Rusty Charm

 Hi Everyone  Happy Thursday ♥ Now that it is time to fertilize the soil  and get ready for fall seeds to be planted in our vegetable garde...

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DIY nailhead trim

<p>Hey there! I’m back today with a quickie update that only took me a YEAR! You think I kid. ;) OK, the project only took a few minutes, but getting there took a year. </p> <p>When we made some <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/family-room-redone.html">changes to the family room</a> last year I found a new chair at HomeGoods for the space:</p> <p><img alt="homegoods chair" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h7kHFsTrYng/ThUu8k0ZN2I/AAAAAAAAN_4/JGS-oFNZxmU/IMG_5625_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" title="homegoods chair" width="320" /></p> <p>The chair is different for me – kinda funky and I love it. It doesn’t look it but it is so, so comfortable – I curl up in it almost every evening. :)</p> <p>I always thought it could use a little somethin’ though, and when I saw <a href="http://www.athoughtfulplaceblog.com/2011/06/new-chairs-and-nail-head-trim.html">Courtney’s post</a> last summer I knew exactly what I wanted to do! </p> <p>I even bought the supplies last year – a few packages of furniture trim from the hardware store:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aowQUpmsRBs/UD5HxigpBrI/AAAAAAAAWtM/8ZQhr1M3jUE/s1600-h/IMG_2625%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nail head trim for furniture" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LocDwfkrT_8/UD5Hx_p3nYI/AAAAAAAAWtU/cvUv2ZRjXBM/IMG_2625_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="nail head trim for furniture" width="280" /></a></p> <p>I got mine from True Value and it’s the only place I’ve seen this nickel color in this size. Everyone else has other colors (bronze, black) in this larger size, but not this nickel color. </p> <p>And then the nails sat in the garage for…well. A long dang time. ;) A year now? I am ON IT! </p> <p>Last night I got a wild hair and decided to <em>just do it already</em>. </p> <p>I started out by eyeing each nailhead piece and then quickly realized that’s not the best idea. They were all wonky and I knew the wonky would drive me crazy. </p> <p>So I came up with what I thought was a brill idea:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FSYLOF5bniM/UD5HyqF-bdI/AAAAAAAAWtc/UA9f_D02NSg/s1600-h/IMG_2611%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="adding nailhead trim to furniture" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_4QrzrBbqB0/UD5H1DHJ6FI/AAAAAAAAWtk/V30CQ5DUIP4/IMG_2611_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="adding nailhead trim to furniture" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I just took the tape measure and marked off inch spaces with a pencil. The pencil erased right off if I needed to move one. Smart huh? Well I looked back at Courtney’s post today and just realized she did the exact same thing. Maybe it was in the subconscious all this time? Who knows? ;)</p> <p>Anyway, I used <strong>her</strong> brilliant idea and it went super fast after that:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H1hx74gvNI8/UD5H2BusdtI/AAAAAAAAWts/hDzo9EcAOaU/s1600-h/IMG_2612%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to add nailhead trim" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5EUlae0IfaM/UD5H23jRs5I/AAAAAAAAWt0/0LU7SCYgAhc/IMG_2612_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to add nailhead trim" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Just place them on your pencil mark and use a hammer to tap them in:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LHfBZDQRS8Y/UD5H3Ix_LfI/AAAAAAAAWt8/rqmkzVaSd8k/s1600-h/IMG_2613%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jU7Sp4IYpCw/UD5H3lrkwDI/AAAAAAAAWuE/EHytqJs4-C8/IMG_2613_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Make sure to hammer them in well so they get into the furniture frame – it creates a nice “tuft.” And when they are in they are nearly impossible to get out…believe me. :) I had to move a few of them along the way. </p> <p>They are SO very not perfect. But they look much better than when I just eyeballed them. This side was a <em>little</em> iffy:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O3F-_28WOcU/UD5H5IOKIRI/AAAAAAAAWuM/jEuV4_2r9nQ/s1600-h/IMG_2623%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nailhead trim to dress up chair" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ENM0jspv4iY/UD5H5qum0WI/AAAAAAAAWuU/TTxFROM6s7I/IMG_2623_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="nailhead trim to dress up chair" width="320" /></a></p> <p>But if you stand back you’ll never notice. </p> <p>I think the front looks pretty good!:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4VpNKIMFec0/UD5H620RYrI/AAAAAAAAWuc/Gf1UuZj3Xms/s1600-h/IMG_2621%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY nailhead trim " border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FePXYo8tPkQ/UD5H7QmFFKI/AAAAAAAAWuk/eeSIwCas4Xw/IMG_2621_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY nailhead trim " width="320" /></a></p> <p>I always thought you had to use the long strips of nailhead trim in order to get this look, and when I’ve looked for those at fabric or craft stores in the past they’re either out of stock or it’s not cheap. </p> <p>This took four packages, about $7 total I think? Not bad for a little bling update!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-psQYfI6t1K8/UD5H7_EPjoI/AAAAAAAAWus/VicjOQxa4eg/s1600-h/IMG_2615%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="DIY nailhead trim" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vt9cjqmkn9s/UD5H8g0wy6I/AAAAAAAAWu0/WoEUTQA0LM8/IMG_2615_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY nailhead trim" width="400" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>This project took me about 15 minutes total – once you get the marks on there it goes really fast.</p> <p>Now I’m trying to figure out where else I can use this trim – I like the bronze version I’ve seen as well. I think they’d be cool hammered into a frame or wood or something. My wheels are turning. :)</p> <p>P.S. You can see more about the rug in this space <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/08/show-us-your-family-spaces.html">here</a> and the candlestick table <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/candlestick-turned-table.html">here</a>!</p> <p> </p> <p><em>I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.</em></p>

DIY nailhead trim

Hey there! I’m back today with a quickie update that only took me a YEAR! You think I kid. ;) OK, the project only took a few minutes, but g...

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Scraper sites

<p>Well, if you read a bunch of DIY/decorating/crafting blogs you’ve probably seen the scuttlebutt over the past few days about the “scraper” sites stealing our content and what we’re trying to do to prevent it. </p> <p>When I say scraper site, I mean a site that takes content from other blogs and pulls it onto it’s own…basically taking my posts and putting them word for word on their blogs. (Here’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scraper_site">more info</a> on them.)</p> <p>It’s been happening for a while now, but in the past six months, and especially in the past three…it’s gotten absolutely out of control. </p> <p>I get two to three emails a week from bloggers who have found my content on another site. And it’s never the same site twice. :) When that happens I have four options – email the “owner” of the scraper site and tell them to stop stealing my content (which is always through a comment because they don’t have any contact info on their site). Or I can pay a lawyer to contact them, report them to Google, or ignore. </p> <p>I’ve done all of them but one – I found out how much it would cost to pay a lawyer to keep up on this and about spit. I’m talking hundreds if not thousands a month (and that’s just for the ones I know about.) This is because the first contact usually results in nothing – it’s going to take more than one email to make them stop. And these blogs are made up entirely of stolen content – so unless they’re being forced, they’re not going to go through and delete hundreds of posts they’ve stolen from my site. </p> <p>I’ve tried emailing the jerks who do this and that’s a joke. I’ve tried reporting it to Google and if you’ve ever tried that you know it’s just not worth it – it happens so much I can’t even imagine how many of those they get just in one day. (And when someone is stealing hundreds of your posts this option is impossible anyway – you have to link to each questionable post.)</p> <p>I’ve also tried ignoring them. But lately the rate at which it’s happening is staggering, and it’s not just me. If you’re a blogger and have been blogging for a while now, you’re content is probably being stolen too. I don’t say that to freak anyone out, it’s just a fact. </p> <p>Thing is, they are getting traffic. I only hear of them because a blogger searched for a project I did and the scraper site came up instead of mine. And if you’ve linked up to one of my linky parties in the past few months, if you look into your analytics you’ll probably find traffic coming from a few of them. These people take the entire post, including 400 links from you all and put them on their own site. (The entire <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-before-and-after-party.html">July Before and After Party</a> was taken.)</p> <p>So. I tell you in all honesty I’ve done what I can to stop it and I’ve come to a decision I’m not happy about, not in the least. If you read my site through Google Reader, after tomorrow (Wednesday) you’ll have to click the title of the post in reader to come to my site. It’s called truncating the feed, and although I hate truncating posts (and never plan to do them on the actual blog), it’s the only solution I’ve found -- at least right now. </p> <p>This prevents (or at least makes it MUCH harder – so hard I hope they’ll give up) for these scraper sites to take my content. I try to be as transparent with you all as possible and wanted to let you know before I did the switch because I know it will affect how some of you read my posts. I am fully aware that some of you who read TDC through Google Reader will not want to click over, and I get it. But I do hope you will.</p> <p>I’m nervous as all heck about this because I never want to make it hard for someone to read my posts, but as a business owner it’s a call I had to make. I know I’ll lose some readers and that kills me…this is not a decision that was made lightly. I just don’t have any other choice right now – a fellow blogger told me the other day that I should get an award for the number of sites who have stolen my content this year. <em>Nice.</em> :)</p> <p>So bear with me…it sucks for my Reader followers I know. But I have to do something and this is all I know to do for the time being. </p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeotJHapOjlf74pC2dIxhy2vZM18weCFtMMrpQayIJVnSVsGxpxUSnGhqIAvP_QhcJVl-CeardvpC-YOLBBG8wNaMlPwgIIbcifg-NZiGf7gGNnfXjUGiuIAcXLI5j3_d7uc4BwtpNaGL/s400/nervous.gif" width="300" /></p> <p>By the way, if you don’t read TDC through a feed, then you won’t notice any change at all.</p> <p>If you are a blogger and would like to see if your content is on some of the scraper sites out there, send me an email and I’ll send you links to them. I’m not about to link to them here so they get even more traffic. :) And if you’ve seen my posts somewhere else, I would love it if you would send them my way. </p> <p>Thank you to those who continue to send me emails about the ones that they find, I really appreciate it. As always, I am so thankful for my readers and am grateful to each of you who choose to spend some of your day with me. </p>

Scraper sites

Well, if you read a bunch of DIY/decorating/crafting blogs you’ve probably seen the scuttlebutt over the past few days about the “scraper” s...

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Catalina Cottage

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlbS_yXYs6cN4dDr8d5swx7rQlANHxEuPVroHQQLo_zFjsjKykuSBx74s-bhzyrQpBEAtKV08EcThboVrnhjMuNQfvp_TiMc7rvGM2tkEQaprYEEKu_oYSygasl70AwjZh1r7goWTut8/s1600/cottage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlbS_yXYs6cN4dDr8d5swx7rQlANHxEuPVroHQQLo_zFjsjKykuSBx74s-bhzyrQpBEAtKV08EcThboVrnhjMuNQfvp_TiMc7rvGM2tkEQaprYEEKu_oYSygasl70AwjZh1r7goWTut8/s640/cottage.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi Everyone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Happy Tuesday</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This little</span> cottage is only 850 square feet </div><div style="text-align: center;">It is so tiny</div><div style="text-align: center;">We found it on one of our walks </div><div style="text-align: center;"> in Catalina when we were there for the Wedding</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mAEZwZLmdG1-9f8amizMA7OKf-J-yAAOfbt1jdTjuvTlYIccktb6Ai3wa5l5CnfugP1JSkTDATl2FPg-KYCOKYU3K-T1wTRE4ThNLLHbbHI4Tmb3eMTsk36PMmLu9UwDZR9kOkwGU4Q/s1600/cottage+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mAEZwZLmdG1-9f8amizMA7OKf-J-yAAOfbt1jdTjuvTlYIccktb6Ai3wa5l5CnfugP1JSkTDATl2FPg-KYCOKYU3K-T1wTRE4ThNLLHbbHI4Tmb3eMTsk36PMmLu9UwDZR9kOkwGU4Q/s640/cottage+2.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is</span> so cute</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at the adorable details</div><div style="text-align: center;">Vintage windows and loads of charm</div><div style="text-align: center;">We ended up walking passed this tiny house everyday</div><div style="text-align: center;">{almost stalker status}</div><div style="text-align: center;"> LOL</div><div style="text-align: center;">They have to cover the hydrangeas so the deer won't eat them<br />the deer even go onto the beach !!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWOPf_mJ8AgzKGf7COti3aQCZPAin2zg6gKWfCtuaf4-vTNQD_5KtIriAPeiLf2X10Xen60EPdId-BtHY32Ji_IP8fte_h2hElzRVEhzFA3TLXaFvrTP2zoSR9wHu0Bhpdh4MNIaAXCI/s1600/cottage+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWOPf_mJ8AgzKGf7COti3aQCZPAin2zg6gKWfCtuaf4-vTNQD_5KtIriAPeiLf2X10Xen60EPdId-BtHY32Ji_IP8fte_h2hElzRVEhzFA3TLXaFvrTP2zoSR9wHu0Bhpdh4MNIaAXCI/s640/cottage+5.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">{Love}</span><br />the vintage screen door  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocbt0dghZsCSACp__coN-wUTH135MPvGc4CRfiZMfwJpwuPea0hKz0YJh0whzVs657Pl2YWU83WkeAgYuEO8AEESuJPxdh0hI9wWaqMygBRNCxCNX7uwDlSZx-Uzz7zvYm4iLNRjTywo/s1600/cottage+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocbt0dghZsCSACp__coN-wUTH135MPvGc4CRfiZMfwJpwuPea0hKz0YJh0whzVs657Pl2YWU83WkeAgYuEO8AEESuJPxdh0hI9wWaqMygBRNCxCNX7uwDlSZx-Uzz7zvYm4iLNRjTywo/s640/cottage+3.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The owner</span> saw me {again}  eyeing/stalking  her sweet cottage</div><div style="text-align: center;">and kindly asked if we wanted to see her backyard garden too </div><div style="text-align: center;">Of coarse we said </div><div style="text-align: center;">YES !!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">and look what we found</div><div style="text-align: center;">the most amazing <i>tree house </i><br />I think the tree house is almost the same size as the main house <i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">We could have moved in right there</div><div style="text-align: center;"> on the spot</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We were so excited to get a peek at this adorable cottage and of coarse I forgot my camera ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">My handsome husband suggested I try taking a few pic's with my iphone</div><div style="text-align: center;">not the best pic's but not bad either<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥</span></span><br />Have you ever stalked/admired someones cottage and walked  by it everyday taking pictures?<br />I hope the people were as kind as this owner was....<br />linking for <a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/">White Wednesday </a><br /><br />romantic saying for today<br /><br /><i>Everyday I Love YOU</i><br />P.B. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">♥</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pam</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>

Catalina Cottage

Hi Everyone  Happy Tuesday ♥ This little cottage is only 850 square feet  It is so tiny We found it on one of our walks  in Catalina when w...

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DIY wood planked wall

<p>Well hello! How was your weekend? Ours was great – we celebrated my sis’s upcoming nuptials with a shower and then a bachelorette party. All in one day. This big sis needed a nap by 7 p.m. ;) </p> <p>I’ve been working on a project over the past couple of weeks that involved a bunch of little projects and I finally got them all done this weekend. I LOVE IT. </p> <p>Our basement stairway was kind of the pits after the basement finishing – the tools and drywall scuffed and dinged up the walls, the old carpet was just…well, GROSS. And I had been using the walls in on the stairs to “store” all of my extra frames that I’m saving for upcoming projects. </p> <p>Here it was in all it’s glory a few weeks ago:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hVFarvB7iz4/UDuYWJayLTI/AAAAAAAAWnU/R7vZOemngwY/s1600-h/IMG_2293%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZW_1sJo5iH4/UDuYW-dCTCI/AAAAAAAAWnc/WphVosC5v4o/IMG_2293_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>The guys had to tear out some of the old carpet to install the baseboard trim by the stairs, so this actually looks better than it <em>had</em> looked. Before there was no trim at all along the bottom. </p> <p>The first project was painting that trim before the new carpet was installed. It got a coat of primer and two coats of gloss white paint, which wasn’t too bad because I didn’t have to cut in or be careful because I knew the walls were getting repainted and the carpet was out of there. </p> <p>After the new carpet was installed I went ahead with the walls. I decided to wait and paint after the carpet was installed because I figured there would be a bunch of scuffs from it being taken downstairs and installed on the stairs. And I was right. :)</p> <p>I am pretty good at cutting in now, after years and years of painting, but I even so I like to tape off the trim before I paint so it protects it from those little bitty annoying flecks of paint:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-khDsU-5DbL8/UDuYXFMhhuI/AAAAAAAAWnk/2Rd8EK69QUc/s1600-h/IMG_2483%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="protecting trim while painting" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UYfVf6Qq_tk/UDuYXwYX4dI/AAAAAAAAWns/g2leA0A_0N4/IMG_2483_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="protecting trim while painting" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I used my FrogTape and it didn’t have to be perfect because it was just there to protect the newly painted white trim. You can see that I don’t stick the tape down onto the trim, I let it stick out from the wall so it’s like a little “umbrella” for the trim. Precious.  </p> <p>After the painting was done (I used the Marina Gray color from the basement that I told you about in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/05/picking-out-basement-paint-colors.html">this post</a>), I was onto my the big idea I’ve had for the large wall in the stairway. </p> <p>I had been dreaming this up for months and I was so excited to get it started. The basement bathroom still sits empty and unfinished, but I just had to focus on this instead because I was so psyched about it! </p> <p>I bought five packages of these pine wood planks from Lowe’s:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GNX-4cRJSSA/UDuYYKDRA7I/AAAAAAAAWn0/ET-JnDyBS9w/s1600-h/IMG_2581%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planks tongue and groove" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uiae3TxkBuY/UDuYYhsCuII/AAAAAAAAWn8/FCVZKBUsou8/IMG_2581_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wood planks tongue and groove" width="320" /></a></p> <p>They are about $9 each so this project was less than $50 total. I installed them on the wall, much like <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-install-beadboard.html">I do any beadboard project</a> – I started at the top and went down from there, making sure each one fit into the next snugly. </p> <p>This tongue and groove planking is SO easy to install! I just nailed it in with my nail gun as I went down the wall. When I was done I gave it a very light sanding (this stuff is already smooth to the touch) and then taped off my walls and ceiling:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RL-zzG9yxBU/UDuYZGaIRdI/AAAAAAAAWoE/H-0o65Qxky4/s1600-h/IMG_2569%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2569" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c9AW9DWsnJQ/UDuYfaMOcTI/AAAAAAAAWoM/xGqeTiLNlp4/IMG_2569_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2569" width="290" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E_qkQG1O0hM/UDuYgmPzvxI/AAAAAAAAWoU/DuDbE1Rg048/s1600-h/IMG_2570%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hJU-gKC_MQU/UDuYhHDhFfI/AAAAAAAAWoc/wdEzGC-b9a0/IMG_2570_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> </p> <p>I used the delicate FrogTape for the ceiling because every. single. time. I’ve ever taped off the ceiling to paint, some of the paint comes off with the paint. This time it didn’t, so that was a nice bonus. ;)</p> <p>My drop cloth was cut up trash bags:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sZ6RCEHUaMA/UDuYh9Mzo6I/AAAAAAAAWok/viX3YENBWAQ/s1600-h/IMG_2571%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cheap drop cloth" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cn48KCPyQH8/UDuYiQxy4YI/AAAAAAAAWos/CK4Gy1D04rg/IMG_2571_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="cheap drop cloth" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I usually just use an old sheet for my drop cloth, but this time I was using stain, not paint. And stain is impossible to clean up – I wasn’t taking any chances with new carpet:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CCeXltFJ1jM/UDuYjB_F_ZI/AAAAAAAAWo0/mNTHiS8x62A/s1600-h/IMG_2582%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark walnut stain" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-paltrb23T9U/UDuYjXPg-FI/AAAAAAAAWo8/YLSaeEHuuJI/IMG_2582_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="dark walnut stain" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I used this dark walnut color and looove it. It’s close to the color of our wood floors and it’s nice and rich and lovely. </p> <p>I gotta tell you, I was <strong>sweating</strong> while staining this wall – I’ve never stained anything this large or vertical and I had to work fast to keep a “wet edge.” I was also trying to watch drips and trying not to flick it everywhere as I was working. </p> <p><em>Sweating. </em></p> <p>After I was done wiping it down (I showed you how to stain <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/06/butcher-block-love.html">here</a>), I stood back and swooned:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PFfJvCWDwmE/UDuYj_rUiUI/AAAAAAAAWpE/7E43x5W1F6E/s1600-h/IMG_2588%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked wall stained" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zOIi_HaGSEA/UDuYknGy9uI/AAAAAAAAWpM/GtnKqU62qJU/IMG_2588_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wood planked wall stained" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I LOOOOVE it. Luuuuurve. Luuuuv. Whatever. </p> <p>Obsessed with it. </p> <p>Before we had a one bulb light fixture in this space that I installed years ago, but it didn’t give off enough light for my liking. Since this space was getting a redo anyway, I replaced it with a new track light:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WjVyq1DkY7U/UDuwtJJDf5I/AAAAAAAAWrU/B5O09DbpCVA/s1600-h/IMG_2587%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked wall dark stain" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rcL78PxjB8Q/UDuYlXrf2iI/AAAAAAAAWrc/BN_xI2TMcn8/IMG_2587_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood planked wall dark stain" width="303" /></a></p> <p>I loved that I could aim a couple of the lights on the awesomesauce wall and the others off to the side. </p> <p>Normally I wouldn’t be thrilled about track lighting, but they’ve come a long way. I’ve mentioned before that I’m going for a slightly industrial, but warm, look in the basement, and I think this light fits in SO well with the wood wall:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ebkwF4hw3fg/UDuYlx0Cs3I/AAAAAAAAWpk/SXNJY-0YoaU/s1600-h/title%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY wood planked wall " border="0" height="525" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oV2yB_qGqPI/UDuYmdAW7cI/AAAAAAAAWps/h3mwxS6tA7Y/title_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY wood planked wall " width="350" /></a></p> <p>I had to use my jigsaw to cut the planks so they fit around that small ledge we have down there. It’s sooo not perfect but no one will ever notice it…as far as I know. ;) Oh, and the boards themselves aren’t <em>exactly </em>the same length. I was going to caulk the edges but after I stained I realized you can’t even tell. </p> <p>I still have to paint that ledge white and then this space is DONE. Who knew a simple basement stairway would be so much work? </p> <p>Here’s another quick look at the before:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hVFarvB7iz4/UDuYWJayLTI/AAAAAAAAWnU/R7vZOemngwY/s1600-h/IMG_2293%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZW_1sJo5iH4/UDuYW-dCTCI/AAAAAAAAWnc/WphVosC5v4o/IMG_2293_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>And after trim, paint, new carpet, a wood planked wall, a new light and minus a cat:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8AyqqxugaTE/UDuYmzHha_I/AAAAAAAAWp0/Q36Q8YwlKS4/s1600-h/IMG_2574%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY wood planked wall dark stain" border="0" height="675" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E2N0s-BLQ24/UDuYnSp7PwI/AAAAAAAAWp8/3QmFthWNnlA/IMG_2574_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY wood planked wall dark stain" width="450" /></a></p> <p>OH, I also spray painted the brass hardware brushed nickel (after I took this picture last night) and cleaned up the railings really well. They were <em>NAS. TY. </em></p> <p>Here’s the bottom set of steps before:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_hScw-kk9Ec/UDuYn3v9e-I/AAAAAAAAWqE/u7goy7F7sNU/s1600-h/IMG_2296%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4K7FXuqL3TM/UDuYo38osNI/AAAAAAAAWqM/HEqCocTAepE/IMG_2296_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>(They had to take some of the stairs apart to install the trim, hence no carpet here). </p> <p>And here’s the view from downstairs up to the wood wall:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sLLsNhgRFfU/UDuYpOzKPEI/AAAAAAAAWqU/FCYmBuAD8TU/s1600-h/IMG_2585%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="basement stairs carpet" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H6P5zbWVKHc/UDuYpne7uOI/AAAAAAAAWqc/9PfS520jvpA/IMG_2585_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="basement stairs carpet" width="400" /></a></p> <p>LOVE IT!! It’s warm and unique and I would hug it if I could. </p> <p>OK, I’ve tried. </p> <p>One of the many things I love about the basement is all of the wall space – it has so much potential! We don’t have a lot of wall space upstairs because our home has an open floor plan, so I’m stoked about doing some fun things with all of it. </p> <p>Even the stairs have a ton of wall space. I don’t know if I’ll hang anything on the wood wall or let it be the art. If I don’t, there's a large wall above the ledge that I want to do something fun with. </p> <p>What do you think, add art to the wood wall or let it be? What would you do? </p>

DIY wood planked wall

Well hello! How was your weekend? Ours was great – we celebrated my sis’s upcoming nuptials with a shower and then a bachelorette party. All...

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New beginnings. New Features.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyBBK3bSQ74a_BwIEmGCkQh1_PFrc-JO-fKUy6x8LZXV4yk4Cpd5ema5N4bqgmKW1y81B2eL3FbAbYRnfn2SnelPUeIRi6gQv4dLqRlwAYBESqZlKWDJvG9aFn-Upq9tbm3LZkicSSRE/s1600/ganesha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyBBK3bSQ74a_BwIEmGCkQh1_PFrc-JO-fKUy6x8LZXV4yk4Cpd5ema5N4bqgmKW1y81B2eL3FbAbYRnfn2SnelPUeIRi6gQv4dLqRlwAYBESqZlKWDJvG9aFn-Upq9tbm3LZkicSSRE/s640/ganesha.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><b>Ganesha:</b> The remover of obstacles enjoying a sunny day in my new home.</i><br /><br />I have been sharing my experiences of the new chapter of my life here in <b>Minnesota</b> on my personal blog, <b><a href="http://www.rang-thecoloursoflife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rang: The Colours of Life.</a></b><br /><br />Today I would also like to share few features that I have planned for <b>Rang Decor</b>.<br /><br />As most of the readers must be aware of my immense adoration for the art & crafts of India, I will be reviving the series, the latest post on <b><a href="http://rangdecor.blogspot.com/2012/08/art-crafts-of-india-ajrakh-or-ajarakh.html" target="_blank">Ajrakh printing</a> </b>is already live. Do check it out if you haven't already!<br /><br />If you are an <b>upcoming</b> designer, painter, artist or stylist <i>(traditional or contemporary)</i> who draws inspiration from the wealth of Indian heritage. Do drop me a mail with an introduction to your work. If we like what we see, will feature your work.<br /><br />If you are an <b>NGO</b> or work with <b>artisans</b> at grassroot level to revive any dying craft of India, <b>Rang Decor </b>will provide a platform to showcase your work.<br /><br />A <b>Before</b> & <b>After</b> feature about little <b>D</b>o-<b>I</b>t-<b>Y</b>ourself from my home.<br /><br /><b>Global/ Eclectic decor</b> inspirations curated with my design sensibilities will also be featured.<br /><br /><i>I get a lot of queries regarding interior design consultations, I have not started personal consultations yet but hope to sometime soon. Meanwhile if there are many queries on a certain topic will try and do a post to address it.</i><br /><br />So stay tuned for all this and more!<br /><br /><i>(Image by Arch)</i></div>

New beginnings. New Features.

Ganesha: The remover of obstacles enjoying a sunny day in my new home. I have been sharing my experiences of the new chapter of my life her...

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Vintage Pink

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu2AzPtQ4ziMvYRCkSy1GnuhEs4H9XVoZczW9Ny7DExjux0bio25uASdjzZJ1S7qes0YEA0RnvfQVkrDVR7FFnnYmbvBNbqU82P9OuMOIoDQl0bKcHFyonUXsPLXO4DQCDXi5y6ac73g/s1600/pink+stool+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu2AzPtQ4ziMvYRCkSy1GnuhEs4H9XVoZczW9Ny7DExjux0bio25uASdjzZJ1S7qes0YEA0RnvfQVkrDVR7FFnnYmbvBNbqU82P9OuMOIoDQl0bKcHFyonUXsPLXO4DQCDXi5y6ac73g/s640/pink+stool+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi Everyone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Saturday</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #f4cccc;">♥</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Decorating with</span> vintage pink</div><div style="text-align: center;">This adorable vintage pink stool has found it's way into the dining room </div><div style="text-align: center;">It has the prettiest vintage floral barkcloth seat</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuNvVN6wnnLgnK_48jIDRDS35Jt77bOh9kERGG_dMu41GA0VYzPaBRBLnfrgQsTW40z6-ECjGqOzQk6qKsG10UyjdcuBC_Qm-uECEVNVmUypmRQDrlKp3mLRVnWt9QhqBe0xkDUu6g5E/s1600/pink+stool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuNvVN6wnnLgnK_48jIDRDS35Jt77bOh9kERGG_dMu41GA0VYzPaBRBLnfrgQsTW40z6-ECjGqOzQk6qKsG10UyjdcuBC_Qm-uECEVNVmUypmRQDrlKp3mLRVnWt9QhqBe0xkDUu6g5E/s640/pink+stool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> It is <span style="font-size: small;">very chippy</span></span>, shabby and sturdy as can be</div><div style="text-align: center;">Built to last a lifetime...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zMaZU0ZHeUO61rveEGc9QfDChRST8xXSitrZqRLtOA8ChuBV1vQ_zG1cLM_aDSvPZNlydODOnG98ypdi72qMhRcYSWzrEPNGUZZpKFe5Ht9ueQYz2AhFRAk7LRNdArmw0SrPvZlOciw/s1600/pink+stool+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zMaZU0ZHeUO61rveEGc9QfDChRST8xXSitrZqRLtOA8ChuBV1vQ_zG1cLM_aDSvPZNlydODOnG98ypdi72qMhRcYSWzrEPNGUZZpKFe5Ht9ueQYz2AhFRAk7LRNdArmw0SrPvZlOciw/s640/pink+stool+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We use </span>this stool for everything from changing light bulbs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ I wish I was taller}</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">to cleaning and dusting the chandeliers </div><div style="color: #f4cccc; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">{Love}</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">our kitty Latte likes this stool too</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I found this stool I almost did not buy it</div><div style="text-align: center;">I walked past it looked at it and walked away, but a few minutes later I was still thinking about it </div><div style="text-align: center;">{ it started haunting me}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Has this ever happened to you? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I could picture it in the house already </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was <i>very</i> Lucky it was still there </div><div style="text-align: center;">Usually when this happens the treasure is gone</div><div style="text-align: center;">My vintage shopping tip</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you like it buy it </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">before someone else does!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu2AzPtQ4ziMvYRCkSy1GnuhEs4H9XVoZczW9Ny7DExjux0bio25uASdjzZJ1S7qes0YEA0RnvfQVkrDVR7FFnnYmbvBNbqU82P9OuMOIoDQl0bKcHFyonUXsPLXO4DQCDXi5y6ac73g/s1600/pink+stool+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWu2AzPtQ4ziMvYRCkSy1GnuhEs4H9XVoZczW9Ny7DExjux0bio25uASdjzZJ1S7qes0YEA0RnvfQVkrDVR7FFnnYmbvBNbqU82P9OuMOIoDQl0bKcHFyonUXsPLXO4DQCDXi5y6ac73g/s640/pink+stool+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAVMh-gWQF4SosGDRPH4e6Y1B6RbK1oYcVPDCXnQWWcLJmHpUF2NpZ7_sxpKQL3WpVmqdA6eCB1Y_Q2xUK_7s_-FHd2VH9caeNSIv4VJBBgFrAM4d42H_GVugFPuVm_V0YKxyXqbry9Y/s1600/4371472556_603173de70_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAVMh-gWQF4SosGDRPH4e6Y1B6RbK1oYcVPDCXnQWWcLJmHpUF2NpZ7_sxpKQL3WpVmqdA6eCB1Y_Q2xUK_7s_-FHd2VH9caeNSIv4VJBBgFrAM4d42H_GVugFPuVm_V0YKxyXqbry9Y/s320/4371472556_603173de70_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">linking for <a href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/">Pink Saturday</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">romantic saying for today<br /><br /><i>"Many are the stars I see, but in my eye no star like thee"</i><br />unknown<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">♥</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pam </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Vintage Pink

Hi Everyone Happy Saturday   ♥   Decorating with vintage pink This adorable vintage pink stool has found it's way into the dining room ...

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Asran.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This post is a milestone for </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rang Decor </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as it features first of the many global design inspirations that will be posted here in time to come. Global design that traces it's route along the Silk Road.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saadia Nasir Ricart</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://asrandecor.com/" target="_blank">Asran</a> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">wrote to me months back while I was in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bangalore</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> introducing me to her new project. A venture in which she curates unique handmade items sourced from regions along the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Silk Road</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> on her online store.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5StfqDgW9GVUzKR0P36MPVWGeG0vqcHgaLSVF_vjpxj6OALAEqohyphenhyphen34qDq7_-pO-qHMTrufbFL9_c66SjovP-zQaTdjlU_eC1Veuh9JFiSwNVDWUOhXOE6oo6g9RxR5QSj-Fffows9k/s1600/asrandecor_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5StfqDgW9GVUzKR0P36MPVWGeG0vqcHgaLSVF_vjpxj6OALAEqohyphenhyphen34qDq7_-pO-qHMTrufbFL9_c66SjovP-zQaTdjlU_eC1Veuh9JFiSwNVDWUOhXOE6oo6g9RxR5QSj-Fffows9k/s640/asrandecor_1.jpeg" width="584" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Silk Road</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Silk Road</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> spanned 7000 miles, weaving its way through China, Central Asia, Northern India, and the Roman Empires. It connected the Yellow River to the Mediterranean Sea, along with all the trade, religions and philosophies on the way. Many of the regions today that were a part of this ancient trade route still use the same methods to create the things that were sold hundreds of years ago.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0eQBOiMSoxCN7Zo-OSeEVh7BRxQ66ts0YepUnLNcrKPzlckYjnFTQB2U5YmcnQRDb3z0yEyqNhkWTHRlhgBy21mxMRg0jR7a7XnjuLDU0hyphenhyphen6FtOdhrwKO0utiO8x5Q1vwkmxLDp48x4/s1600/asran4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0eQBOiMSoxCN7Zo-OSeEVh7BRxQ66ts0YepUnLNcrKPzlckYjnFTQB2U5YmcnQRDb3z0yEyqNhkWTHRlhgBy21mxMRg0jR7a7XnjuLDU0hyphenhyphen6FtOdhrwKO0utiO8x5Q1vwkmxLDp48x4/s640/asran4.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saadia</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> states being half Pakistani and half Japanese, and her parents being antique rug dealers for over 30 years, created a strong intrigue and love for the Silk Road cultures. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Asran</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> has a beautiful collection of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kilims</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> from Turkey and Central Asia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJep9Pgspuf3LXp20LAcbDmgmCsjeTMdWYSP3RLCRxgVZzDvT4WHRdGtj-oosEytRbAvVgLAoPFmX5W7oZqOkSNYDS-jMecY3NelpI5uJIwEp9VNB6a-hKb128Ny8XoeoNn857DvVWb8/s1600/asrandecor_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJep9Pgspuf3LXp20LAcbDmgmCsjeTMdWYSP3RLCRxgVZzDvT4WHRdGtj-oosEytRbAvVgLAoPFmX5W7oZqOkSNYDS-jMecY3NelpI5uJIwEp9VNB6a-hKb128Ny8XoeoNn857DvVWb8/s640/asrandecor_2.jpeg" width="584" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJep9Pgspuf3LXp20LAcbDmgmCsjeTMdWYSP3RLCRxgVZzDvT4WHRdGtj-oosEytRbAvVgLAoPFmX5W7oZqOkSNYDS-jMecY3NelpI5uJIwEp9VNB6a-hKb128Ny8XoeoNn857DvVWb8/s1600/asrandecor_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What are </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kilims</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saadia explains on her blog, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Kilims use several flat weaving techniques, kind of like knitting, but bigger and thicker weaves. Rugs on the other hand are made by individual knots knotted tightly together by pressing the weft against each other. </span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Both techniques are extremely time consuming and require meticulous attention but that makes the final product all the more amazing!"</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6ejTrZ7NbiyfybGrptN3JiBC6jkTsVPW3l1LVYJ7XJL-qTU6FEJ0IDdGA7xrHYBHuhWwu0_W-Y7YZ9eQSkysE3AXbgF9euAFYIkIFRhzik67C_KGd40lWQcIojFqyZbF978acZzVKas/s1600/as3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6ejTrZ7NbiyfybGrptN3JiBC6jkTsVPW3l1LVYJ7XJL-qTU6FEJ0IDdGA7xrHYBHuhWwu0_W-Y7YZ9eQSkysE3AXbgF9euAFYIkIFRhzik67C_KGd40lWQcIojFqyZbF978acZzVKas/s640/as3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kilims</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> are mostly handmade in Persia, Balkans, Eastern Europe and Turkey. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf9aMa25RkxLilPqZHbs8aRQBH_iXPNejCP3a4dp39hHvYHnVScfC0Oyl1pa0oJBr-lel4AgO1gXz1Vcnhkn0fgFIHS6kvksBaH48XsYj2CkaHgX2ZxFWpqfQQETcuKhMpzySCnlcpys/s1600/as2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf9aMa25RkxLilPqZHbs8aRQBH_iXPNejCP3a4dp39hHvYHnVScfC0Oyl1pa0oJBr-lel4AgO1gXz1Vcnhkn0fgFIHS6kvksBaH48XsYj2CkaHgX2ZxFWpqfQQETcuKhMpzySCnlcpys/s640/as2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They use many geometrical patterns in the weaves and each symbol has a certain significance. Some Kilims are used as prayer rugs as well.</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmamQoUKoEqubI_oyfxb_k7_nbaDQP3Ntnye4HoWqzvflFfMfOFtu4nousRCvyM7fpBth-CaZySEQ61k9e11Ri8da61WYK6uXDaj9qq2VRqoqIl88Y3hwgrlQcx0v6JDLaDUxas_26pM/s1600/asrandecor_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmamQoUKoEqubI_oyfxb_k7_nbaDQP3Ntnye4HoWqzvflFfMfOFtu4nousRCvyM7fpBth-CaZySEQ61k9e11Ri8da61WYK6uXDaj9qq2VRqoqIl88Y3hwgrlQcx0v6JDLaDUxas_26pM/s640/asrandecor_7.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">  </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Asran </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you will find some very interesting handcrafted decor accessories like this </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Camel Bone Powder Box</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> from Lucknow, India. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrxupM_FwMW9h6KQRqub6_4AmyLCZ_m4iMlF06AnJcxyaEwFtm3Z2QmaXa-3CNUlv3Bi5NEngtdYNC182RByxyvBTPwCLehVqLRGl2At0p6q-Sp6X-Ix0OPBhHm0Do9SRM79EajvmDGI/s1600/asrandecor_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrxupM_FwMW9h6KQRqub6_4AmyLCZ_m4iMlF06AnJcxyaEwFtm3Z2QmaXa-3CNUlv3Bi5NEngtdYNC182RByxyvBTPwCLehVqLRGl2At0p6q-Sp6X-Ix0OPBhHm0Do9SRM79EajvmDGI/s640/asrandecor_3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Silk Scarves and Pashmina Shawls as well...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkazE5S0czuhE6anXNgbVGKFyoGvaY5msnhdOndLAkeiBoMxPVMxsf9C2_T1jdbibUzv2ZZc1O-uviOJ4aiX6ZC9QVAVT_2A_Yt9y2vwYM2OV-cQR2hU7yVu4Qs-82-3X8U3i8K-kT9Fk/s1600/asrandecor_4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkazE5S0czuhE6anXNgbVGKFyoGvaY5msnhdOndLAkeiBoMxPVMxsf9C2_T1jdbibUzv2ZZc1O-uviOJ4aiX6ZC9QVAVT_2A_Yt9y2vwYM2OV-cQR2hU7yVu4Qs-82-3X8U3i8K-kT9Fk/s640/asrandecor_4.jpeg" width="584" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Originally inspired by Chinese pottery, Imperial ware, also known as </i></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Iznik</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>, was so exquisite that European collectors in the mid 19th century thought it came from Persia. Though in the early 1900's scholars discovered that they were from the Ottoman empire and thus concluded that these Iznik ceramics were Turkish".</i> explains Saadia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YhkEZZiwK01e-dw-82wBhg9hKT2AiJ0n0dSHbtkIEkifKSohMB5SE7WCukWj-ye8X5-7dkjCYPXApDO0H_UILaX_vazubMausfnKoCcmoFSf71H3YuN9qhGs2QwO6b0HbBihVSRcz_M/s1600/ass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YhkEZZiwK01e-dw-82wBhg9hKT2AiJ0n0dSHbtkIEkifKSohMB5SE7WCukWj-ye8X5-7dkjCYPXApDO0H_UILaX_vazubMausfnKoCcmoFSf71H3YuN9qhGs2QwO6b0HbBihVSRcz_M/s640/ass.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNR2LU4pdhZHUdWFQprZsCizVAWS1UVhTencVEiE7bkSU7ZSsYESG3fugZyJSTvgBt_PQ0IhKW6VJpMvhXbCFcnyX1Iy_8nUO6FlYM-lisBe4likXTcudMRFKsx75cS_irSnzrIGp2Uc8/s1600/asrandecor_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNR2LU4pdhZHUdWFQprZsCizVAWS1UVhTencVEiE7bkSU7ZSsYESG3fugZyJSTvgBt_PQ0IhKW6VJpMvhXbCFcnyX1Iy_8nUO6FlYM-lisBe4likXTcudMRFKsx75cS_irSnzrIGp2Uc8/s640/asrandecor_5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJWOHBzB7if40tnC5aWBcf6KZJQGLtV7A75twzRwIWQBn4u2odQlA2jwNvDxC7SqM0U6gA8NbOyjnvCJtw_Dk77qIBu12dXwAyh9L1iaBnzeLVEU1j0TkSzRrxoGIqc464_8kg-NfvmM/s1600/asss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJWOHBzB7if40tnC5aWBcf6KZJQGLtV7A75twzRwIWQBn4u2odQlA2jwNvDxC7SqM0U6gA8NbOyjnvCJtw_Dk77qIBu12dXwAyh9L1iaBnzeLVEU1j0TkSzRrxoGIqc464_8kg-NfvmM/s640/asss.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPohFM2O6y10bLgHPNbD3ffVYqPN7GlgMpkYqeW0Ak-adHMAffSjxO7CO3xL6mIQ9rIYrjvuIuxvznSLmOVBw4FJQ8k1vIyCn44iofKTq1puVNOei203gS-W_efgRPs3S8qnBLb_VlNEE/s640/asran1.jpg" width="640" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saadia with her mother in Agra.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So do drop by at </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://asrandecor.com/" target="_blank">Asran</a></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and check out the lovely handcrafted pieces from the Silk Road.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can keep updated about </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_905349701">Asran </a></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_905349701">on </a></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/asrandecor" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/asrandecor" target="_blank"> </a>as well.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Images from Asran Decor and Asran Blog)</span></i></span></div></div>

Asran.

This post is a milestone for Rang Decor as it features first of the many global design inspirations that will be posted here in time to come...

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