* Assess your current dining needs: How large your family is, how often you entertain, and if you have more than one dining area will help you assess how much seating you actually need. For those that don’t entertain often, renting chairs/tables or buying inexpensive folding ones may be a solution. If you have a formal and informal dining room, your problem may be solved by using both dining areas when large parties come to your home. Assess if you have other areas to use as well: outdoors, adjacent spaces, etc..
* Group seating: One solution to fitting more people at the table is to use group seating. Benches whether they are fixed or movable are good way of maximizing space as opposed to individual seats. Benches are especially good for children who are smaller and can sit closer together without feeling uncomfortable.
* Share seating from adjacent rooms: If you have an open floor plan, sharing seating with and adjacent room like a kitchen island or living room can be a viable option. This concept works well when entertaining a large group of people that are all involved in different activities, such as mingling, eating, and small conversation areas. If you do entertain a lot, consider buying sectional seating that can accommodate more people as opposed to only single chairs.
* Consider moving outdoors: Often times the solution may be to move your dining party outside. Depending on the season and your outdoor area, porches, patios and outdoor lawns are a perfect backdrop for dining and entertaining. Outdoor areas will give you more room to stretch out and will give the interior of your home a rest from being over populated. Outdoor entertaining is also ideal for children to have area to run around until it is time to eat!
* Get creative: For some homes the reality of having permanent furniture on hand for large party entertaining isn’t feasible. Whether it is because of limited space to house more furniture, or the finances to afford it. Get creative and pull chairs from desks in other rooms, and use small movable ottomans for kids. Sometimes the art of entertaining is being able to make do with what you have. After all your guests just want a seat, it doesn’t have to always have to be a five star dinner! Make the most of what you have and enjoy having your large party of guests.
Large group seating can be accomplished through many ways. Determine what your dining and entertaining lifestyle consists of and then make your dining seating marry to it. If you are remodeling your kitchen or dining area, consider building a built in bench seating area in a bay window nook. You will gain extra seating and you will love the way your dining space looks afterward!
source: http://freshome.com
source: http://freshome.com
You’ll need:
* non-toxic gold spray paint (I recommend Krylon)
* champagne flutes or wine glasses
* painters tape
* plastic or ziplock bag
* plastic gloves
It's time to start...
1. Rip off a 6 inch piece of tape. Center the tape over the base of the glassware, rubbing the bottom edge against the glass. Pull the sides up at a slight angle. As long as the bottom edge is taped smoothly, it’s alright if the top edge of the tape ripples or folds.
2. Bring one side of the tape across the middle of the glass. Although the spray paint I used is non-toxic, I tried to keep the outline far below the lip line.
3. Bring the other side of the tape across so the two pieces meet at a point. Tape on a ziplock or plastic bag while still exposing the bottom edge of the tape.
4. Lightly spray multiple and even coats of paint onto the glass from a couple feet away. Be sure to always spray paint outdoors in a well ventilated area. Allow to dry completely before removing the bag and tape.
5 Your gold plated champagne flutes are finished! Remember, these are not dishwasher safe and should be hand washed only.
Voila! Your glasses are renovated!
Source: http://honestlywtf.com
A combination of Mexican paper flowers and those ever so popular tissue paper pom poms, these vibrant and cheerful flowers make perfect ornaments for any celebration. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make!
You’ll need:
* 6 – 7 pieces of 180 gram florist crepe paper cut into 20″ x 30″ sheets (it’s important to use heavyweight crepe paper for it’s stretchiness and strength)
* 6 – 7 small binder clips or large paper clips
* 16 gauge floral wire
* heavy duty scissors
First, lay out the sheets of crepe paper and fold each one into an accordion. The folds should measure about 2-3 inches thick and should be creased along the natural, horizontal lines of the crepe paper. Don’t worry about the folds being absolutely perfect! (Click on images to enlarge)
Keep each bundle bound together by a small binder clip or large paper clip.
Working with the outer color first, gradually trim down the length of each sheet in 1-2 inch increments. This will ultimately give the flower its depth.
With scissors, trim the ends into rounded and pointy shapes. Again, don’t worry about being too precise – irregularity will make the flower look more natural! Realign the binder clips to the center of each bundle.
Cut along the folds of each bundle . . .
. . . until the scissors hit the edge of the binder clip, leaving the center uncut. Repeat the same steps on all four sides.
Unbind each bundle. Lay the sheets on top of each other with the largest, outer color on the very bottom and the smallest, innermost color on top. Be sure to center the sheets as best as possible. Then, start folding all the layers into an accordion.
Roll the bunch inwards and tie a piece of floral wire around the middle.
Secure the wire by giving it a few twists. Fan out the folds, exposing the strips of the first layer.
Gently peel forward one strip at a time and using both hands, stretch the paper open.
I suggest peeling forward every other or every two strips to give the flower a more organic look. And remember to constantly fan out the bundle since some strips may be tucked away between other layers. Once the first layer is done, move onto the next layer and color.
Slowly and gently peel forward all the strips from each layer. Though you might have to adjust some of the petals, the flower will naturally take it’s own shape.
Continue peeling the layers. If a strip is too big or out of place, feel free to use scissors to trim or shape it.
Soon enough, your crepe paper flower will be finished. And I dare you to make just one!
It is beautiful... Isn't it? :)
Source: http://honestlywtf.com
You’ll need:
* 6 – 7 pieces of 180 gram florist crepe paper cut into 20″ x 30″ sheets (it’s important to use heavyweight crepe paper for it’s stretchiness and strength)
* 6 – 7 small binder clips or large paper clips
* 16 gauge floral wire
* heavy duty scissors
First, lay out the sheets of crepe paper and fold each one into an accordion. The folds should measure about 2-3 inches thick and should be creased along the natural, horizontal lines of the crepe paper. Don’t worry about the folds being absolutely perfect! (Click on images to enlarge)
Keep each bundle bound together by a small binder clip or large paper clip.
Working with the outer color first, gradually trim down the length of each sheet in 1-2 inch increments. This will ultimately give the flower its depth.
With scissors, trim the ends into rounded and pointy shapes. Again, don’t worry about being too precise – irregularity will make the flower look more natural! Realign the binder clips to the center of each bundle.
Cut along the folds of each bundle . . .
Unbind each bundle. Lay the sheets on top of each other with the largest, outer color on the very bottom and the smallest, innermost color on top. Be sure to center the sheets as best as possible. Then, start folding all the layers into an accordion.
Roll the bunch inwards and tie a piece of floral wire around the middle.
Secure the wire by giving it a few twists. Fan out the folds, exposing the strips of the first layer.
Gently peel forward one strip at a time and using both hands, stretch the paper open.
I suggest peeling forward every other or every two strips to give the flower a more organic look. And remember to constantly fan out the bundle since some strips may be tucked away between other layers. Once the first layer is done, move onto the next layer and color.
Slowly and gently peel forward all the strips from each layer. Though you might have to adjust some of the petals, the flower will naturally take it’s own shape.
Continue peeling the layers. If a strip is too big or out of place, feel free to use scissors to trim or shape it.
Soon enough, your crepe paper flower will be finished. And I dare you to make just one!
It is beautiful... Isn't it? :)
Source: http://honestlywtf.com
Remember when master bedroom closets use to be one door that you would open and you would choose your clothes and close the door? Closets were just that, a closet, with no other purpose than holding clothes. Wow, how times have changed. Today, master bedroom closets have enough space to hold seating; furniture, storage, and even a dressing area are common in modern master bedroom closets. If your closet isn’t big, the notion that your closet can only have one function should be long gone from your head. In fact, multifunctional closets are here to stay, and here are tips to choosing the right one for your lifestyle.
How much do you have to store in your closet? Depending on your lifestyle, your career, your financial status, and how much you love apparel and accessories will help dictate how much space you need for a multifunctional closet. Assess your need for space to get dressed, as well as display and plan out your wardrobe for the next day. While some people may throw on the first thing they see, for others, choosing clothes and accessories can be a major part of their day. The more you need to store, the more space you will need to allow to fit other functions, along with your wardrobe items.
What functions do you want your closet to serve? For households that have children, the master bedroom closet is often shared with smaller children getting ready for school with mom and dad. While for individuals or smaller households, the ability to store accessories, jewelry, and neckties adjacent to their clothes is essential for saving time and staying organized. Every household is different, and depending on what functions your closet will serve, will help you decide what are necessities as opposed to luxury functions that you may never use.
Smaller closets can have versatility: Master bedroom closets aren’t always large and making a smaller closet multifunctional can have its challenges, but is still very doable. Consider installing closet organizers that can divide your clothing into personal areas inline with your lifestyle. Optimize vertical space and use mirrors on the back of your closet door to add a “dressing area” without having to walk inside your closet. Choose a small ottoman with integral storage to put shoes on that can slide inside your closet when not in use. This way you have seating, dressing, and choosing areas all in one space.
Add decorative touches: It’s hard to believe, but master bedroom closets are also being used for added decorative touches, such as framed artwork, family pictures, vases, and even sculpture. The appeal for homeowners to retreat to their master bedrooms for renewal from a busy day carries over to the master bedroom closet. Consider adding decorative shelves, baskets, directional lighting onto artwork, or walls sconces and pendant lighting are making the modern day master bedroom closet into a place to retreat and enjoy.
Your multifunctional master bedroom closet is closer than you thought! Look through magazines, online resources, and flip through master bedroom closet images to give you inspiration. Determine your lifestyle, wardrobe and size of the space you have to work with. Once you bring your personal style into your master bedroom closet, you will wish you would of thought of this sooner!
Do you have any tricks for making your master bedroom closet multifunctional?
via: http://freshome.com
How much do you have to store in your closet? Depending on your lifestyle, your career, your financial status, and how much you love apparel and accessories will help dictate how much space you need for a multifunctional closet. Assess your need for space to get dressed, as well as display and plan out your wardrobe for the next day. While some people may throw on the first thing they see, for others, choosing clothes and accessories can be a major part of their day. The more you need to store, the more space you will need to allow to fit other functions, along with your wardrobe items.
What functions do you want your closet to serve? For households that have children, the master bedroom closet is often shared with smaller children getting ready for school with mom and dad. While for individuals or smaller households, the ability to store accessories, jewelry, and neckties adjacent to their clothes is essential for saving time and staying organized. Every household is different, and depending on what functions your closet will serve, will help you decide what are necessities as opposed to luxury functions that you may never use.
Smaller closets can have versatility: Master bedroom closets aren’t always large and making a smaller closet multifunctional can have its challenges, but is still very doable. Consider installing closet organizers that can divide your clothing into personal areas inline with your lifestyle. Optimize vertical space and use mirrors on the back of your closet door to add a “dressing area” without having to walk inside your closet. Choose a small ottoman with integral storage to put shoes on that can slide inside your closet when not in use. This way you have seating, dressing, and choosing areas all in one space.
Add decorative touches: It’s hard to believe, but master bedroom closets are also being used for added decorative touches, such as framed artwork, family pictures, vases, and even sculpture. The appeal for homeowners to retreat to their master bedrooms for renewal from a busy day carries over to the master bedroom closet. Consider adding decorative shelves, baskets, directional lighting onto artwork, or walls sconces and pendant lighting are making the modern day master bedroom closet into a place to retreat and enjoy.
Your multifunctional master bedroom closet is closer than you thought! Look through magazines, online resources, and flip through master bedroom closet images to give you inspiration. Determine your lifestyle, wardrobe and size of the space you have to work with. Once you bring your personal style into your master bedroom closet, you will wish you would of thought of this sooner!
Do you have any tricks for making your master bedroom closet multifunctional?
via: http://freshome.com
