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The concept of "designer toilet paper" is kind of akin to a Swarovski-encrusted nose hair trimmer; you just can't make nasal weed-wacking look glamorous. So, I would never venture to kid myself by buying Black Toilet Paper ($12). But, I do think if you were going to go all out hosting a Halloween party it would be a cool touch. Or maybe even an "Over the Hill" celebration?
Would You Use Black Toilet Paper?
Leave your comments and feedback...
The final install of the 6"x6" travertine tile layed on a diagonal with 2"x2" granite insets, and the installation of the new fixtures has been completed! This kitchen went from being "livable", but somewhat cold, to feeling very warm and inviting. Another perk about upgrading to slab countertops from tile...no grout, which makes cleanup less of a hassle.
Are you interested in learning what changes you can make to upgrade your home?
Visit: www.designdivastudio.com
Step Four: As you can see...the backsplash and all faucet fixtures still need to be installed.
Just a few more days and this kitchen will have a whole new look, not to mention, a really happy client!
What you can be expecting next:
Final completion...coming soon!
Step Three: After waiting about a week and a half now... The guys have now arrived to demo the existing kitchen countertop and backsplash.
The demo has taken place, and now, on the same day, the new slab countertops will be installed.
The demo (obviously) is a VERY messy job, so you'll want to make sure that you stay out this as much as possible while the work is taking place.
The completion is not done yet...they will need a few more days to actually get your kitchen fully functioning again.
Read on...
Step Two: Go with your designer to the slab yard to select your countertop material (or trust your designer to make the call). You'll want to do this as soon as possible, so that you can ensure that your small kitchen remodel is complete sooner than later.
Have you wondered what exactly is involved when you'd like to make upgrades to your kitchen, such as updating your countertops, backsplash, and fixtures? Well, it's your lucky day...
I'm going to let you in on the step-by-step process, so you know what to expect with your next kitchen upgrade!
To the right, you'll see a BEFORE picture of one client's kitchen...
Mission: To demo the existing tile countertops, and install new natural stone countertops and backsplash, along with new fixtures.
Step One: Call Design Diva Interiors to schedule an appointment for an initial bid with their granite and tile contractor. The contractor will then come out to give you an accurate bid, based on the scope of services involved with your specific kitchen. At this point, you (the client), will then make the decision to move forward with the bid. From here, the contractor will take a small deposit from you, and schedule the template appointment. Most likely, the template appointment will be scheduled immediately (next day). The contractors then have what they need to complete the fabrication of your slab, so that it fits perfectly in your kitchen.
Read on for Step Two...
Here's what to expect:
Again, if you or someone you know is looking to get going on an interior design project, encourage them to move forward soon... The cut-off date to have the pictures of the project (there can be no more than two projects) is March 25, 2009.
In the meantime... Check out the selected designs from previous Open Auditions
Have you been considering going to solar power as the main source of energy for your home?
Here are a few pointers on helping you not only achieve using solar energy, but could keep you off-grid completely!
Many houses employ bits and pieces of green design and technology in an effort to create a more sustainable living space, but whether due to constraints of building codes, finances, or simply personal aesthetic preferences, most sustainable homes still connect to the municipal grid for at least some of their power and water.
It is generally more challenging to retro-fit an existing building to remove it from grid-dependence than it is to build an off-grid house from the ground up. Discover what's possible when you design sustainable features that work together to create a system for domestic self-reliance.
Solar Panels
The first step toward detaching a home from the world of utilities providers is installing solar panels. This allows you to use the power of the sun to run a water pump, phone, two laptop computers, and assorted 12-volt lights, as well as to recharge batteries and cell phones. However, the panels aren't enough to run power tools or a refrigerator, so the next step would be to expand the photovoltaic array soon.
Cross-Ventilation
Because home owners will not want to max out the electricity generated by their solar panels using something as inefficient as air-conditioning, you'll want to build the house to accommodate local winds. An angled roof and windows on all sides mean that the house will bring cool breezes through one end and out the other.
Wood-Burning Stove / Hot Rocks
Cooling isn't the only thing that can be done without power. keeping the house warm is important, and a well-placed wood-burning stove goes the distance for circulating heat throughout the structure. Another neat thing to do to do to keep yourself warm would be to heat rocks near the stove to place in your bed before going to sleep on cold nights.
Graywater Filtration System
Filter all water that has been used in your kitchen sink. First, route the graywater through a sand-filled barrel, which filters out large particulates, then draining the water into partly artificial wetlands, if you are not closely located to a bay of water. This way, you are careful to return water only after it has been filtered and naturally cleaned.
Composting Toilet
Another key step toward sustainability is to kick the flushing habit. A Sun-Mar Excel N.E. composting toilet ensures that even the owners' waste can decompose harmlessly before returning to the world outside. It's not a piece of art by any means, but it gets s%@# done!
For information on composting toilets, please visit: http://ericsonsolar.com/SunMar.htm
Happy off-grid living!!!
Organic Cotton
The Cotton Club
It may be the fabric of our lives, but conventionally grown cotton takes a major toll on the earth and human health. What’s the problem? Read on for the quick and dirty lowdown, the skinny on organic cotton, and a good guy move from big, bad Wal-Mart.
What’s wrong with cotton?
Hmmm, where do we start? For one, it takes about 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and chemical fertilizers to create just one T-shirt. The crop accounts for about 25 percent of global insecticide consumption—which is often applied via aerial spraying, causing lethal health problems in farm workers and neighboring communities.
Why go organic?
Unlike its competitor, organic cotton skips the laundry list of harmful practices. Organic cotton farmers, just like their food-growing counterparts, forego chemicals and instead rely on compost fertilizer, crop rotation, and natural predators (plain old bugs) to produce each bale.
Where do you find it?
The good news? Almost everywhere. The Organic Trade Association reports that global production of organic cotton spiked by 53 percent in 2007, and the sustainable material can be found in clothes, housewares, feminine products, diapers, and more. A healthy mix of upstart
companies (Plover Bedding, Good Society Denim) and major chains (Wal-Mart, Target, West Elm, American Apparel) are offering organic cotton products.
What’s the catch?
When it comes to third-party certification, the cotton industry falls prey to the same Catch 22 as wine and food: Standards must be stringent, but the amount of hoop jumping (and three-year grace period) required makes it difficult for small farmers who want to go organic (or already have) to get certified. To its credit, Wal-Mart has invested in “transitional cotton” by paying premium prices for non-certified cotton from farmers in the process of converting to organic.
What can you do?
Vote with your dollar by choosing organic cotton over conventional whenever you can. If the clean, green stuff isn’t an option, ask retailers when they’ll be carrying organic. And, while you’ve got their ear, take the next step: ask for organic products that aren’t treated with chemical dyes.
By making these simple changes, we're on the road to living cleaner and healthier lives...
Who wouldn't want that?
Sources: The Sustainable Cotton Project, Reuters, Organic Exchange, Organic Trade Association
"What is the most effective change my clients, and homeowners everywhere, can do to save on energy?", was a question that I recently asked Aaron Kessel @ All Current Electric (my go-to electrician for many jobs, small and large).
The answer to my question: L.E.D. Retro fit kits
L.E.D is short for light-emitting diode, an electronic semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it.
Why choose L.E.D retro fit kits???
Here are just a few reasons why I would look into it, you may also want to:
This is just one of many easy steps we can take to make a difference on our pocket book, as well as the environment!
If you're interested in improving your energy efficiency through LED lighting, please contact me at: info@designdivaintd.com.
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