Get the Look: Modern Mod

Modern meets Mod. I like this look it's fresh, happy and fun!

All items found on ETSY...click images to shop.

1 Architect + 344 Square Feet = 24 rooms

My margins did the cut-off trick...here's a link to see it full screen. So worthy!

From YouTube via The Stir via Stumble Upon.

8 Other Things

Did you know...you can clean more than just dishes in your dishwasher.

Rain boots should have the liners removed and lie horizontally. Hook flip-flops on tines in the top rack. (FYI, Crocs are not dishwasher-safe.)

Tools with metal or plastic handles will be fine. Towel-dry afterward to prevent rusting.

Ceramic cabinet knobs do well in the silverware basket, so if you feel like embarking on the process (remove, wash, replace), go for it.

Hairbrushes and combs made of plastic can take a spin, but not wood or natural boar-bristle brushes. Be sure to remove all the hair first to protect the drain.

Fan grilles, switch plates, and vent covers are in if they’re plastic, aluminum, or steel. Enameled, painted, or plated should stay out.

Garden tools may have come in contact with pesticides or animals, so don’t mix them with a load of dishes. (And don’t wash those with wood handles.)

Light-fixture covers are fine in the top rack, as long as they’re not antique, enameled, or painted.

Potatoes can get nice and clean in the top rack with a rinse-only cycle (no detergent). Sound crazy? It makes mashed potatoes for 20 a lot quicker.

Retro-style dishwasher by SMEG (I know, cute, huh?).

Info shared via - click for a list of 14 more!

Interiors: Bold Color and Pattern

I Heart: light filled office spaces

Retro wallpaper? Check. Big, bright windows? Check. Mid-century styling? Check. Let's get to work!

Which one do you like? Leave me comments, let me know...

Yes, I've been a copycat ~ images via.

Design Inspiration: Storage Stairs

If you've been around here for any time, you'll know I have a fondness for organization, shelving and storage solutions--especially of the space saving type. Here's a few more I found Online--so clever, so practical, all DIY.

click images to visit sources.

Neat Things: New at Ikea ~ 2010

Garden Inspiration: Patios

Do you have a patio? Don't all of these look very inviting?

Images via Sunset.

Organize: my fave ideas from Real Simple

Laundry Bag
Original purpose: Saving delicate unmentionables from getting stretched in the spin cycle.
Aha! use: Keeping mini Tupperware lids, baby-bottle caps, and other small items from falling through the dishwasher rack.

Rubber Bands as Strap Securers
Original purpose: Bundling mail in the postman's bag.
Aha! use: Keeping camisoles and sundresses from slipping off their hangers. For this stop-strap measure, wrap a band (or two if you use skinny ones) around each end of a hanger.

File Drawer for the Kitchen
“File” plastic containers and their tops in orderly zones within the same drawer to keep them easy to locate.

Desk Organizer as Cupboard Divider
Original purpose: Keeping files orderly.
Aha! use: Sorting cookie sheets, cutting boards, and jelly-roll pans in the kitchen.

Keep Papers Accessible With Memo Holder
Originally made for keeping track of food orders in restaurants, this sleek stainless-steel and chrome rack will ensure that mail, messages, and shopping lists are not misplaced.

To buy: Memo holder with spring clips, $48, the Museum of Useful Things.

Found HERE.

Design Inspiration: Keep It Cozy

Home is the most important place in the world. So sayeth IKEA, so sayeth I, so sayeth we all*.

our street, front steps, urn on porch

In many of the blogs I follow I enjoy looking into other people's lives. A big part of many people's lives is where they live...in their homes. Many of the bloggers I follow are at some point along their journey of home building, remodeling, decorating and designing.

entry hall, festive front door, dining area

For example, Fiona, of Cafe Cartolina, shares daily photos of home decor inspiration. A woman with wonderful taste (so similar to my own..*eh hem*). I always leave her a comment because I always see something I like. Liz, over at Mabel's House, frequently shares photos of her home. Simple and cozy with a slightly cottage style...plus her writing is engaging and full of amusing stories of life.

living room and office

So, today, for anyone that might have wondered, I am posting a few photos of OUR home. Like many of yours, it's always work in progress. We're very big on the cozy factor and try to incorporate as much of it into our 900 SF as we can. We used to be all beach-cottage style but are now slowly morphing into a modern-traditional look. Or, more simply translated = Pottery Barn on an IKEA budget.

snippets of kitchen, bedroom and bath

So, if you're following along and writing your own blog, be brave and show me where you live. Leave a comment to let me know when you've posted so I can come take a peek!

*Kudos to anyone who caught the BSG reference! ;-)

Design Inspiration: Stairwell Storage

Found these photos today on the Poppytalk blog.  The photos are from the Come Up to My Room 2009 exhibition. The Courtyard House as it is called was created by Peter Tan and Christine Ho Ping Kong of Studio Junction, Toronto. 

Drawers built into stairs...BRILLIANT.  I want that at my house, please.  Someday...when I have a house that is!

All the flowers of summertime

"There is peace with a garden, a peace so deep and calm. That when the heart is troubled, it’s like a soothing balm. There’s life within a garden, a life that still goes on. Filling the empty places, when older plants have gone. There’s glory in the garden, at every time of year, spring, summer, autumn, winter, it fills the heart with cheer."

We live in a really great apartment. One bed, one bath, secure entry, only 4 units in our building, almost 1,000 square feet each, 3 walk-in closets, hardwood floors, huge windows facing west, garage, basement storage and a deck.

Our deck is our backyard. We live on the top floor of our building overlooking our neighborhood and we have a superb view of the west hills and the city. Portland hosts firework displays 5 times annually so we enjoy those shows for free--plus the bonus of fantastic sunsets in every season.
We've lived here going on five years and each summer we look forward to creating a new garden to enjoy. Our challenge is the hunt for a variety of plants that enjoy a full day in the sunshine. This summer we discovered a small rural nursery (in business since 1913!) on our weekly drive to attend church service. We decided to patronize their operation for our gardening needs instead of one of the big box stores. I am happy to report that the quality of the plants and the customer service is better than any retail outlet we've purchased from in the past.

We have more pots and more plants than in years past and we splurged on the flowers. I've been practicing with the macro settings on our cameras as the flowers put on their show...I hope you enjoy the results!

Visit my Etsy shop for photographs of flowers on sale now!

copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved.