Stunning Staircases

My boyfriend is in the process of buying a home, which makes me super excited because I finally get to put my design skills to use.  He found one he liked, but before he decided to put an offer on it, he made me go through and make a budget for everything that would need to be redone.  Item number one on this list?  The nasty banister.

Not only is it incredibly ugly...but it's incredibly broken...which means we HAVE to replace it.  Darn :)

Noel wants to replace it with some wood spindles circa 1990...so I decided to do a little investigating on other fabulous staircases before I caved and agreed to that.  So here are some of the most wonderful and unique staircases I found:

This staircase could have been perfect in the building I designed for studio this semester (an environmental tourism center where the lines between building and landscape are blurred).

I love the simplicity of this staircase...although unfortunately it could never actually be built like this, at least in the US, because it's missing a handrail.

I mean, what kid wouldn't want to actually slide down the stairs?  (Especially because I don't think that glass banister would make for optimal sliding)

On a realistic note, I know we won't be replacing the banister with anything super crazy like I posted above....so I suppose I should get a little more reasonable.

Staircases are often missed opportunities for storage.  Generally, people will wall off the space under the staircase and just throw all their junk underneath.  However, why not add in some shelves like you can see in the image above, or even better, turn the staircase itself into a series of drawers.  Now that is some serious storage.

When all is said and done, if he does decide to go with that house, we will probably end up with something more along the lines of the image above thanks to a little thing called resale value.  As much as I love the ultra modern designs, they cost a pretty penny and we'd hate to blow any margin of profit on one staircase spindle.  But until then, I can dream can't I?

New Uses for Old Silverware

12/4/11 Update:  Are you a wonderful reader stumbling over here from Pinterest?  And are you are interested in a DIY for these beautiful rings?!  If so, then click here for the full tutorial.  Thanks for reading!

12/10/12 Update: To see video snippets of the tutorial, click here. 
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The beginning stages of a relationship are always exciting.  The nervous butterflies, the showering with affection, the "sure I can hang out tonight (even though I have a 10 page paper that's due at 8am tomorrow that I have no idea when I'll finish)"...these all make those first few months such a treasure.  However, my favorite thing about beginnings of relationships?  The dumb, quirky little gifts you give in a hopeless attempt to impress the other.

Rewind three and a half years to when Noel and I first started dating.  Well one day as he was walking to my apartment, he found this fabulous little spoon ring.  So, naturally, when he got to my apartment he gave it to.....my roommate.  Okay, okay, so the spoon ring was TOTALLY her style, and I do suppose impressing the friends is a crucial part of the relationship as well...but still. :)

Recently, the spoon ring story came to mind, and after giggling to myself for a moment, I started wondering what other wonderful things you could use old silverware for.  I did a little google searching, and here are some of my favorite things that I came up with:

I think these napkin rings made from the ends of spoons/forks are just beautiful!

 Here's a twist on the spoon ring - a fork necklace! (Maybe I'll get one of these instead...)

  

 I just LOVE this...I think it is such a fun and creative way to display name cards!

 This is amazing.  Luis Luna used plastic utensils to create this fabulous "Gluttony" light fixture.

 What better way to mark your garden?

I don't really know how comfortable this chair would be...but at least it looks sweet! 

 A unique approach to candle holders.

 Fun and easy DIY cabinet hardware!

 I love the simplicity of these...although if you aren't careful when you close the curtains...this could be deadly.

 Beverly at Flamingo Toes made this adorable mirror using old silverware (you can't see the reflection of the mirror due to the angle of the picture).

Here Halsey from Spunky Junky turned her old silverware into art by  simply spray painting the silverware white and framed them for a unique look

 This is a spin off the name card holder - this would be the perfect stand for your business cards!

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So, from now on don't throw away those old utensils - get creative and give them a new life!

ON/OFF - The Miracle Paint

I've heard of glow in the dark paint. I've heard of chalkboard paint.  I've heard of whiteboard paint.  I've even heard of magnetic paint.  But never have I ever heard of a paint that is as absolutely amazing as this. French designers Agence Quarks and Nicolas Triboulot have come up with a paint...for your walls...that (get this) has the ability to turn your lights on and off when you touch it!  NO way!

This touch sensitive paint is called ON/OFF (how fitting), and it can be painted on nearly any surface.  You can either apply it with a roller or a paint brush, and it can be used to control a wide variety of electronics.  Once it is applied to the wall, you can paint over it using traditional paint in the color of your choice, and you can even wallpaper over it.  I haven't been able to find out how it exactly works, but I do know that this paint can even incorporate dimmer features for lighting.

Just think of how utterly amazing that is.  No more stumbling around in the dark trying to find the light switch - no more having to crawl out of bed when you're already practically asleep to turn off the light - now all you have to do is hit the wall and the task is done.

These are a few of my favorite things...

For those of you who know me, odds are you know three things about me...

1. I love houses. And not just love as in "I think houses are sweet." Love as in I procrastinate my life away drooling over new mega-mansions on the MLS.  Love as in whenever I walk into a house, I automatically start thinking about how I would remodel it if I lived there.  Love as in I spend hours driving around just looking at beautiful homes.  I think you get the picture...I LOVE houses.

2. If it's turquoise, I want it.  Everything in my life is turquoise - my walls, my towels, my lamps, my storage bins, my jacket...even things as dumb and insignificant as my Kleenex boxes.  Yes, I know...I have a bit of an obsession.

3. I love ANYTHING mango.  And I mean pretty much anything.  If I order a drink, there is a 99% chance it will be mango.  If I buy ice cream, obviously, it's mango flavored.  Mango, mango, mango...I love mango.

By this point, you're probably wondering why I am telling you all this.  Well, it just so happened as I was perusing the internet...I stumbled upon a blog that I swear was created just for me.  It's called "House of Turquoise" and you can find a link to it under the "my blog list" section of this page.  Here are a few teaser images that I am in love with....

Unfortunately for me, I don't think Noel would ever allow me to have turquoise cabinets...so I'll have to satisfy my addiction by drooling over images in this blog.  Now if only they could somehow incorporate mangoes...

Fun Ideas for Creative Lights

Lighting fixtures can get to be really spendy these days, so I found a few examples of really fun and unique lamps that you could make yourself.  All of these lamps use recycled materials you can find around your home, so the cost to make them is minimal.

I love the whimsical quality of these lights that are made out of egg cartons.  Note: if you try to make these, make sure you use LED lights so you don't create a fire hazard.

These beautiful lamps are made out of used cocktail umbrellas.  I just love how colorful the are!

This fun fixture is made out of ping pong balls.

Old zip-ties were used to create this funky fixture.

This is by far my favorite - I think it is just exquisite!  It is made out of the bottoms of plastic bottles.