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In my opinion there is nothing  more beautiful than a classic wooden stair case. Some day I hope to have a dramatic country stairway that Scarlet O’hare would be proud of. But for now I can only dream & supply you with some great pics of inspiration if you are considering a stair case in your home, or maybe you have one that you are thinking of reconditioning?

Here are some of my top pics for stair case design

Check out these entries sent  into the inspired dorm room page at HGTV!

I want to go back to collage just to decorate my dorm room this way!

http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Dorm-Rooms/gallery.esi

A wonderful idea for outdoor space is a screened in porch. They can be fairly inexpensive to to depending on how involved the design, and if you do it right you can enjoy them year around. Not to mention an outdoor living space adds value & appeal to your home if you are planning on selling in the future. Now is also a great time to get outdoor living accessories on sale at your local retailer!

This one designed for the green home at HGTV is one of my favs. everything used was eco friendly and designed with green living in mind. While they were working from a larger budget than most it is always fun to check out big design for ideas. You would be surprised what you can come up with at thrift shops when you have an idea in place!

So enjoy your summer & consider adding an outdoor living space to your space. For more ideas check out these sites.

http://www.outdoor-kitchens.com/?gclid=CKDkwfDN35sCFSIuagodtzb2_w

http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=60516

http://www.hgtv.com/

Check out this clip at HGTV of a totally cool kitchen transformation

Love this one!

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/video/channel/0,1000149,HGTV_32796_13101_31833,00.html

A glass of sweet tea a dramatic porch, and a rocking chair.–Miss Ariel

What do you think are the attributes that define Southern style? Check out some of the answeres contributed to Southern Style

Gracious and eclectic with a strong architectural basis. — John Chrestia

True “Southern style” has a subliminal sense of theater and joie de vivre, complimented by a definite bend toward elegance. — Joseph Paul Davis

A sense of gracious invitation. Warm, personal colors. Respect and reverence of our past. Subtle intelligence. — Barry Dixon

Decoration in the traditional or classical sense with an emphasis on comfort, hospitality, and liveableness, sometimes with a historical reference point, but not necessarily interpreting “period” interiors. Many Southern homes are renovations of once-grand architecture or even auxiliary buildings on the plantation grounds. — Ann Dupuy

The attributes that define Southern style are a quiet assuredness…a confidence…a warmth that embodies the phenomenon of “Southern hospitality.” — Charles Gandy

Southern style, to me, is rather eccentric, embodying classic roots with a unique application. Comfort and relating to the outdoors is always a strong consideration for design in the South. Color is also very important, many times pulling in color schemes from nature. — Cathy Kincaid

Southern style is unpretentious and extremely comfortable with an air of informality and relaxed elegance. — Josie McCarthy

Southern style means friendly, comfortable, approachable interiors. In the South, it’s all about being welcome. — Celerie Kemble

A sense of one’s heritage and the importance of making a home welcome to family and friends. — J.R. Miller

Southern style speaks of gracious living, hospitality, and restrained taste. — Betty Lou Phillips

Our Southern roots compel us to make hospitality and good manners a priority in our daily living. There is an underlying quality of dignity in the way we decorate. — Cindy Smith

Casual elegance. An inviting style. The mix of both formal and informal rooms that are integral parts of life in the Southern home. — Jim Strickland

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A few years ago I had had it with our old bathroom. It was complete with purple carpet & pink fixtures, original from the previous owner! I hated the carpet..I have boys need I say more, and had asked my hubby to rip it out several times. We had talked about it but nothing was getting done, so while he was hunting I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I went to Home Depot & got all the materials I needed to remodle this bathrooom! Including a sink, toilet, tile, fixing for the sub floor, fixtures, paint, & tools! I could do this ! The fact that I had no idea what I was doing, had never done any of it, and didn’t even get a how to book! Oh did I mention I had four month old baby & a 3 year old to look after?

YEAH you can imagine how this one turned out! After I had to do the tile twice (Don’t ask) & call a friends husband, cut myself so many times I couldn’t count. I had a half finished mess for my husband to come home to!

He was very sweet, and some what dissapointed I think to find his wife who had hijacked his Home Depot card & all she had gotten him was more work to do.

This I know for sure: know what you know & know what you don’t. I did a few things wrong here.

- I had no idea how to really do any of this & did not take the time to understand before hand. This kind of project is not a figure it out as you go kind of thing.

-I over estimated my ability! I knew I was in trouble but instead of just stopping I kept on making a bigger mess.

-I was in a hurry, never try & do something you have never done with a hard  & fast deadline it never works.

-I wouldn’t throw in the towel

In retrospect I would have been better off hiring a professional or at the very least taking some classes on the sneak at lowes or homedepot before hand so I was ready. I am not saying a wife could not remodel a bathroom in a weekend & surprise her hubby, but she should be a little better prepared than I , to avoid a costly, embarrassing, bathroom blunder like mine!

Boared with your decor? Paint!

Painting is a wonderful way to spruce up your room & your mood! It is my favorite waty to add life into a room for cheap!

Happy Painting

I love Ty Pennington & I just checked out his new web site! It’s full of great tips, fun info, a library, audio how to, & cool toons while you brows! I give it two thumbs up for a home decor site. Usually they are lacking style & just stuffed full of info. leaving you the opposite of inspired, but not Ty’s! Check it out.

http://www.typenningtonstyle.com/index.php

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