Monday, September 30, 2013

Modern Country Table Setting Craft Project

I absolutely adore this little corner of our home. 


We bought the table as extra seating for the littlies when we have lots of people over. It looks so sweet tucked away to one side.


One day, not so long ago, I decided it needed a tablecloth...for its finer moments in life.






The edges were given a straightforward hem on my sewing machine. This was SUCH a simple project. If you see a couple of metres of a fabric you love then please snap it up and make one for yourself...even the most nervous of beginners could pull this off with considerable aplomb. 



No excuses now...particularly as this Heligan fabric is currently half price at Laura Ashley's website.


The fabric transformed it in a flash into Modern Country perfection, particularly with these beautiful flowers perched atop.


It takes a special kind of fabric to be able to take such a beautiful bouquet. The combination of the greige background, and simple white and greens of the hydrangea motif doesn't fight with the beauty of the real thing; it somehow enhances it.


Poppy heads, eucalyptus, roses, lilies, feverfew, nigella....
flowers fit for a king and queen!


Saturday, September 28, 2013

Car Paint Designs Ideas

What Are The Best And Worst Aspects Of Modified Cars?





When it comes to modifying cars, there's some pretty decent examples of how to do it right. Sadly though, there comes a time when it doesn't look so great, but not that this would put off any prospective car modifier. In homage then to the some of the best and worst modified cars, here at Cars4Sale we have established a list of some of the things we love and hate when it comes to suped up machines.



We see and sell on a variety of different cars, some modified monsters and some beauties – we'll always find a home for them, but we've so many we had to share our thoughts on what are the best and worst modified cars. So here it goes:



Best Aspects of Modified Cars



Fine Tuning

We love cars that have been fine tuned, with turbo engines, enhancing their engine size, capacity and ultimately speed. This is what modifying your car is all about and we doff our cap in appreciation for those that start off with their engine. Evo's that can beat the Ferrari's or Impreza's making mincemeat of Lamborghini's; fundamentally this is the whole point of modifying cars.



Vehicle Wrapping

This can make any modified car look the bee's knees. There's nothing better than seeing an awesome car with eye catching and sporty looking wrapping over it. Recently it's been used in various forms, such as company promotion, protecting paint work and to give an all round flashy look. You'll also see wrapping in motor sport as manufacturers will use it to advertise sponsors on their vehicles. It's a great way of trying out news colour schemes and designs without affecting the original paintwork of the car. So when it comes to selling your vehicle on, you can either keep it on, or have it removed to have you car restored to its original self.



Swapping Engines

As mentioned, modifying cars isn't just about the aesthetics. It's about getting your car fine tuned, so it performs to its best. That said, there are still really cool aesthetical modifications you can make, but it's important to concentrate on the engine first and foremost. The idea with swapping engines is fairly old, and even though it's considered sacrilege, you can enhance the power of your pride and joy tenfold.



Worst Aspects of Modified Cars



Cambers

Originating from Japan, the name comes from the way the wheels of the car incline sideways. This makes the car look like it's been squashed, with the wheels of the car pointing outwards. Not only does this not look right, but it doesn't exactly help the performance of your vehicle. In the worst case scenario you'll see cambers that make the car look like they've folded up. Not a good look.



Big Wheels

There is a fascination when it comes to modifying cars, and that's to include big wheels. Whilst this may look good on large SUVs and even some Sedans, it looks terrible on smaller cars, especially if the arches are made bigger too. It makes the car look like it's on roller-skates, and you'll get no performance benefit out of it whatsoever; no extra speed, no more grip or better stopping. So if you're thinking of suping up your coupe, stop to think before you add 22s to it.



Interior Disasters

Okay, we've all see Pimp My Ride, and some of the things they can produce is impressive. However, it's a television show people, and the people working on the cars are professionals. There's nothing worse than seeing an old clapped out banger, which has been given the ‘star' treatment, which contains luminous, bright and generally over the top colours, designs and accessories. Somewhere along the line, modifying cars went awry.



So there you have it, these were just some of the best and worst aspects of modifying cars. There are however many more. Whilst you may disagree, or agree, with our selection, that's the beauty of modifying cars, it's down to people's tastes and opinions.




Art of Invisibility: Clever Camouflage Car Paint Job Design ...
Art of Invisibility: Clever Camouflage Car Paint Job Design
Art of Invisibility: Clever Camouflage Car Paint Job Design ...
Art of Invisibility: Clever Camouflage Car Paint Job Design ...
Art of Invisibility: Clever Camouflage Car Paint Job Design
Art of Invisibility: Clever Camouflage Car Paint Job Design ...

Small Kitchen Ideas

10 Dealing Tips For Small Kitchen Design



Kitchen hasn't lot of space and you want to manage large things. It's hard to arrange lot of things in small kitchen. If you have idea about how to use the right design ideas in creating a more space, you can arrange lot of things within little space.



If you have a small kitchen and you are going to design. You will face the problem of designing, how you can fit and where. There are many different designed cabinets and surface patterns that can help you. You can design your small kitchen with a sense of space.



To design efficient kitchen, you have to work on three major areas: storage, lighting and appliances. Small kitchens seem to be very difficult design. But you can design easily because you can find that there are many designing options in the market.



A small kitchen requires creativity design in coming up with storage solutions. Some ideas to try include:



1. Set countertops along with wall. Countertops help to arrange lot of things.

2. To design galley under the countertops and up on countertops, there make 8 columns. Each columns store lot of pots.

3. Today's appliance manufacturers have come up with more compact space-saving appliances make small kitchen design easier, such as refrigerators that are 24 inches deep instead of 30 inches deep, as well as appliances that can be hung underneath cabinets like microwaves.

4. Most design tricks to create dining area in the kitchen include using folding tables with two small chairs that can be tucked into a corner.

5. Use colored lighting under cabinets within glass doors. That lighting will look more attractive.

7. Deeper counters can more increase work space and you can put the lot of pots in counters.

8. Fix the hanger on wall, where you can hang up pots and pans.

9. Install designed sink in the kitchen. You can wash posts easily in large sink.



Mostly kitchens are small. But after complete the designing in the kitchen; you'll notice that kitchen's featured are large. You'll think, good design means being able to create more space and being able to fit all necessary things in small kitchen.




Small Kitchen : Design, Ideas and Pictures for Small Kitchens
Small Kitchen : Design, Ideas and Pictures for Small Kitchens
Small Kitchen : Design, Ideas and Pictures for Small Kitchens
33 Cool Small Kitchen Ideas | DigsDigs
33 Cool Small Kitchen Ideas | DigsDigs
33 Cool Small Kitchen Ideas | DigsDigs

Friday, September 27, 2013

How To Create An Ultra-Matt Finish Using Chalk Paint

Welcome to Part 2 of my Beginner's Guide To Chalk Paint. Autentico Chalk paint can easily be used to create a super-smooth, ultra-matt finish with no need to prime. Huzzah!

I'm including lots of How-To photos so you can be confident about repeating the steps in your own home.


Here's how easy it is...


I applied the gorgeously rich Nearly Black paint using a paintbrush. No priming needed but I did make sure I sanded the bare wood extra well to give a lovely smooth surface. 


I used a large paintbrush to cover the bulk of the surface and a little 'un to cut in around the edges. It gives the best and smoothest results if you apply the paint in long sweeping strokes. The paint looked pretty patchy when drying but each coat dries very fast and magically morphs into a thick, perfect finish!...


Nearly dry...


Gorgeous!...


Once you have the paint coverage that you need (this needed two coats) then you have a choice of finishes, which I'll cover in more detail soon. For any surface that needs to be really hard wearing, such as a desk or tale top then I'd whole-heartedly recommend using sealant, rather than wax. Autentico's Sealant is water-based and gives the mattest finish that I've come across. Perfection in a tin!


However, as you apply it, don't panic if it looks a it like this...


...as long as you use thinnish coats of sealant then it will dry clear and smooth and matt, matt, matt.


And that, my sweets, was as easy as 1,2,3...
Have a go, and tell me how you get on!


Our Modern Country Style Office is starting to take shape! 


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Beginner's Guide To Chalk Paint

In our new extension, we have an alcove, which was crying out to be an office area. We designed a bespoke desk and oak shelving to fit the space perfectly......


but it definitely needed a bit of Modern Country Styling....



I've only recently discovered Autentico Paints, which come in a range of more than 130 colours. Just take a look at this palette....


Aren't those shades beautiful?
There's a grey to suit every mood...


Inspired by this view outside our window, I picked out Nearly Black, a very dark charcoal, for the desk. The Autentico Chalk Paint can be left with its lid off to thicken up, for a textured, aged feel...


 ...or can be layered for a super-smooth finish.


Coming up on Friday.....

Beginner's Guide To Chalk Paint Part 2: 
How To Get A Super-Smooth Matte Finish With Chalk Paint


Monday, September 23, 2013

Modern Country Kitchen LOVE!


I've just stumbled across this kitchen and my planned blog post went flying out of the window faster than you can say, "Oh. My. Goodness."

Could this be this kitchen of our collective Modern Country Kitchen dreams?

black and white kitchen in a Victorian cottage

Soapstone work surfaces, cup hands, white fitted cupboards, grey green walls? 

 I am literally gasping for breath....


Image via: Orchidluvr

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Sheardown House: Modern Country Garden tour!

Shall we move outside for a moment?
I am an absolute sucker for a mix of sharp Modern topiary, and soft Country planting.

Terrace

If our garden was free from little children's tricycles, and homemade dens for staying the night outside, and leftover campfires from said adventures, then my dream garden might look something like this gem, designed in conjunction with Taylor Tripp.

Climbing Rose

Walled Garden

Arbour

If....if....if.....but I wouldn't give up my life for the world..... 


In fact, we've just got this fab bucket barbecue from Garden Trading so that we can enjoy our outside adventures to the full! It's apparently inspired by fishermen cooking their suppers over a bucket of coals at the beach, hence its name: Whitstable.


Sturdy but light, with a slight industrial touch....the thought of late-at-night sausage suppers has never seemed so cosy.


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Swedish Apartment Modern Interiors Renovation

Apartments Swedish Apartment Modern Lighting Interiors Renovation ...
Apartments Swedish Apartment Modern Lighting Interiors Renovation
Apartments Swedish Apartment Modern Lighting Interiors Renovation ...
Apartments Swedish Apartment Modern Livingroom2 Interiors ...
Apartments Swedish Apartment Modern Livingroom2 Interiors
Apartments Swedish Apartment Modern Livingroom2 Interiors ...

Aqua Living Modern House Experience

Aqua Living Modern House Experience by David Mutal Architect » Decodir
Aqua Living Modern House Experience by David Mutal Architect » Decodir
Aqua Living Modern House Experience by David Mutal Architect » Decodir
Aqua Living Modern House Experience by David Mutal Architect » Decodir
Aqua Living Modern House Experience by David Mutal Architect » Decodir
Aqua Living Modern House Experience by David Mutal Architect » Decodir